From NYC to Africa
Shawn Slevin’s Six-Week Journey | November–December 2025
After 33 hours of travel, Swim Strong Foundation founder, Shawn Slevin, visited seven countries across one continent. The mission: build global partnerships for water safety. The focus: listen to communities, observe water ecosystems, and establish connections.
WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED
- Presented to global water safety leaders at World Conference on Drowning Prevention
- Met in person with Rotary colleagues throughout the tour; previously only seen on Zoom
- Connected with Black Swimming Association of Britain
- Presented Swim Strong model to Rotary Club of Addis Ababa-West
- Observed three tribal communities’ relationships with water
- Conducted intensive trainer capacity building in Kenya with Swim Africa
- Established international partnerships for sustainable water safety education
THE JOURNEY AT A GLANCE
Seven Countries | One Continent | Six Weeks
- Egypt – Sharm El-Sheikh, World Conference on Drowning Prevention, Red Sea Snorkeling
- Jordan – Petra, Jerash, Mount Nebo, Dead Sea, Amman
- Ethiopia – Omo Valley (Karo, Hammar, Mursi tribes), Gondar, Lalibela Churches (Bet Maryam & Bet Giyorgis), Addis Ababa
- Kenya – Kilifi, Swim Africa Training (Train the Trainer Project)
- South Africa – Cape Town, Robben Island, Cape Peninsula, Johannesburg – Soweto, Kliptown Townships, Desmond Tutu’s Childhood Home
- Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls
- Botswana – Chobe Reserve, Okavanga Delta
EGYPT
Sharm El-Sheikh | World Conference on Drowning Prevention | November 21-23, 2025
Shawn presented at the 2025 World Conference on Drowning Prevention in Sharm El-Sheikh (November 21-23, 2025). Her presentation, “Why Swimming Lessons Are Not Enough. Education is the Missing Link,” reached global water safety leaders.
Read the full blog post about the conference presentation:
World Conference On Drowning Prevention Post
Red Sea | Snorkeling with Rotary Colleagues
Snorkeling with Rotary colleagues.
JORDAN
Petra, Jerash, Mount Nebo, Dead Sea, Aqaba
Jordan’s ancient treasures span millennia.
ETHIOPIA
Part A: Southern Ethiopia & Omo Valley
The Karo Tribe – Omo River Banks
The Omo River: source of food, transportation, survival. The Karo people live on the river banks.
The Hammar Tribe
Twin brothers’ wedding celebration—multi-day festivities. Bull jumping ceremony: young boys performing passage to adulthood.
The Mursi Tribe
Part B: Northern Ethiopia – Gondar & Lalibela Churches
Historic Castles
Gondar’s castles: centuries of history. The Emperor’s personal swimming pool. Opening to the public during Timkat celebrations in January. Water access as privilege shifting to water access as shared resource.
Lalibela Churches
Bet Maryam & Bet Giyorgis
Highlands of Lalibela
Part C: Addis Ababa
Rotary Club of Addis Ababa – West and City Visit
Shawn presented to Rotary Club leadership sharing Swim Strong Foundation’s mission and approach to drowning prevention.
Key Points from the Presentation:
- 12,500+ people taught to swim in 19 years
- $2 million+ in free swimming lessons provided
- Swimming skills alone are not enough to prevent drowning
- “Know Before You Go” focuses on situational knowledge of water
- Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of death globally
- 95% of drowning deaths are preventable
- Water safety education must address home water risks, environmental contexts, and climate change impacts
Watch the Full Presentation:
Markets, streets, and neighborhoods of East Africa’s policy hub.
Wancii/ Wonchi Lake Area
KENYA
Kilifi – Swim Africa Train the Trainer Project
In 93-degree heat, intensive training with Kenyan instructors.
Training curriculum transferred:
- “Know Before You Go” for East African contexts
- “Get Ready Get Wet” skill-building programming
- Assessment methods and community engagement
- Culturally relevant, locally owned content
Building local capacity rather than creating dependency. Kenyan trainers will adapt examples to local water environments, adjust communication to cultural norms, and identify community-specific barriers.
Kilifi Beach
After training, team celebration at the beach.
SOUTH AFRICA
Capetown and Table Mountain Views
Robben Island
Historic site where political prisoners were held during apartheid, including Nelson Mandela.
Water isolated. Water imprisoned. Water surrounds the island.
Cape Peninsula
Coastal exploration and regional tourism.
Johannesburg – Soweto and Kliptown Townships
ZIMBABWE & ZAMBIA
Victoria Falls
The bridge connecting Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia as it heads to Botswana. Four countries. One river. One water system.
Water doesn’t recognize borders.
BOTSWANA
Chobe Reserve
Wildlife dependent on water sources: lions, elephants, African species across ecosystems.
Okavanga Delta
A massive inland wetland ecosystem. Hippos in water. Lush vegetation. Communities living with water as foundation of existence.
KEY STATISTICS
- 121,000+ students educated by Swim Strong Foundation since 2006
- 12,500+ people taught to swim
- $2 million+ in free swim lessons provided
- 104,000+ NYC students reached through “Know Before You Go” programs
- 28-36% improvement in water safety knowledge
- 0 drowning incidents among Swim Strong participants
JOIN THE GLOBAL MISSION
Join Shawn and Swim Strong Foundation in this global mission to end unintentional drowning through water safety education.
Become a Volunteer – Support our programs in NYC and help change lives through water safety education. Volunteer
Become an Educational Partner – Connect with Shawn Interested in bringing Swim Strong’s evidence-based approach to your community? Shawn.Slevin@swimstrongfoundation.org or fill out the Contact Form
Register for Swim Lessons Current Classes
Make a Donation Your support funds free swimming lessons and water safety education for over 121,000 students. Donate
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